Color: Lavender-blue flowers; blue-green foliage with creamy yellow variegation
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Fragrance: Sweetly fragrant blooms
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Wildlife Attraction: Attracts bees and beneficial pollinators
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Pest & Disease Resistance: Very good resistance; generally deer and rabbit resistant
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Planting Zones: USDA zones 3–9
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Sun Preferences: Full sun to light shade (best flowering in full sun)
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Drought Tolerance: High once established; prefers dry to average soil
Bare Root Planting Instructions
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When to Plant: Plant in late summer to early fall, or early spring in cooler climates.
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Site Selection: Choose a sunny, well-drained location; avoid heavy, wet soils.
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Soil Preparation: Loosen soil and amend lightly if needed; irises prefer lean, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
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Planting Depth: Place the rhizome just at or slightly above soil level, with roots spread downward and outward.
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Spacing: Space rhizomes 12–18 inches apart to allow airflow and growth.
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Backfilling: Firm soil gently around roots, leaving the top of the rhizome exposed.
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Watering: Water thoroughly after planting; reduce watering once established.
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Mulching: Avoid heavy mulch over rhizomes; keep soil surface open to sunlight.
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Aftercare: Remove spent flower stalks and divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain vigor.
Bareroot Iris pallida ‘Variegata’ is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking a fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial with beautiful blooms and eye-catching foliage that shines even when not in flower.